Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Ordination of Women

17th June 2014

On 14 June, Sheffield Cathedral was the location for a special service to celebrate the anniversary of ordination of women as priests in the Diocese of Sheffield. The service started with women, who were ordained in 1994, leading the procession into the Cathedral.

The service was presided over by the Revd Mary Gregory, Rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Kirk Sandall and Edenthorpe and Dean of Women's Ministry for the Diocese.

Mary said:

"We have come together to celebrate twenty years of priestly ministry by women and men together. We have come to give thanks for those women who were ordained in 1994, some after many years of waiting to fulfil their calling, and all those who have followed. We have come to give thanks for the gifts with which the ordained ministry of women has enriched the priesthood of all God's people.”

A series of speakers gave their funny and moving experiences on women in priesthood. The first was given by the Revd Jan Hardy, Vicar of Thorpe Hesley who was ordained as a priest in Sheffield Cathedral on 17 March 1994. The Revd Sarah Colver, Assistant Curate at Aston cum Aughton with Swallownest and Ulley also spoke. Sarah is to be ordained as a priest later this month. Finally, the Bishop of Sheffield, the Rt Revd Steven Croft added his story to the collection.

The sermon was delivered by the Venerable Jane Sinclair, the current Archdeacon of Stow and Lindsey in the Diocese of Lincoln. Jane was amongst the first group of women to be ordained priest in Sheffield Cathedral on Tuesday 15 March 1994.

Various other women ordained in 1994 played a part in the service, with the Revd Julie Upton, Team Rector of Sheffield Manor, leading the Prayers of Intercession.

The service culminated in the Eucharist, which was presided over by Mary with both the Bishop of Sheffield and Bishop of Doncaster assisting.

The Diocese of Sheffield is called to grow a sustainable network of Christ-like, lively and diverse Christian communities in every place which are effective in making disciples and in seeking to transform our society and God’s world.